Heart and Soul

Chapter Two: The Kidnapping

Kaoru walked in silence as the white-haired man next to her kept his steady pace. She couldn't bring herself to look her former captor in the face. She was still trying to recover from the shock of seeing him in the first place. Who would ever known that a walk down a road that she had been so familiar with would end up in an unexpected visit by the same man who used her for his Jinchuu?

As they walked, Enishi studied her from his dark shades. She had grown more beautiful in her absence. Her black hair had grown longer, and the ends of her bangs still dangled above a pair of bright, vivacious eyes. The blue kimono she had worn complemented her eyes perfectly while the matching red and white obi encircled her waist, emphasizing her small girth. He had noticed the embroidered pattern of cherry blossoms decorating the cloth, and thought it had suited her well.

In spite of her shock, she remembered her manners and cleared her throat. "So, why are you here, Enishi?"

Enishi couldn't help but smile. He knew that the girl was still in a state of surprise even though she was trying to hide it behind the face of hospitality.

"No specific reason," he replied calmly. "Just business."

She studied him thoughtfully with her sapphire eyes. Kaoru knew that he was the head of an organization in China that illegally sold and traded weapons. The thought of him still being a salesman of death pained her inside.

"I have severed my ties with the crime syndicate," he spoke as if he could read her thoughts. "I've decided to retire from dealing arms."

He saw the small smile that lit up her radiant face momentarily. However, Enishi was upset when her rosy lips had suddenly formed a frown.

"But...what's going to happen to you?" She asked him, the depths of her sapphire eyes swirling with concern. "What if someone from the syndicate doesn't agree with your decision?"

He chuckled out of amusement and tore his turquoise eyes away from her. "You seem worried, Kamiya. Are you afraid for my safety?" He taunted her.

She looked away from him and concentrated on the dirt path ahead of them, a warm blush reaching her cheeks. "Well...yes."

Surprised by her answer, Enishi halted in his tracks. Kaoru did the same, folding her hands in front of her in nervousness. "I'm just worried about what might happen. Criminals aren't exactly the most understanding people in the world, you know? What if the syndicate comes after you, Enishi? You could be in danger."

He smiled at her genuine concern for him. It has been four months since the last time he had seen her, and Kamiya hadn't changed a bit. She still had the ability to look past the wrongdoings that people had committed and accept them even if her decision was against common logic. Rather than look down on him for his sins, Kaoru was worried about Enishi. The benevolence of her heart truly was astounding.

That had made him want her even more.

"Don't trouble yourself, Kamiya. No one would even think about raising a weapon against me. I would slaughter them before they even had the chance."

Much to Kaoru's disappointment, Enishi's pride and arrogance had failed to leave him. However, her mouth curved into a small smile.

"I said that I had severed my ties with the syndicate, but that doesn't mean that I still don't have connections to keep me informed."

Sighing, her eyes concentrated on the drifting petals that rode the gentle breeze. "You always were certain of yourself," she commented sarcastically.

"I have every reason to be."

Kaoru rolled her eyes and the couple continued their walk without exchanging another word. The path finally led them to the gates of the Kamiya dojo. She parted them and her visitor followed suit. Kaoru walked up the wooden steps of her home and swiftly pushed the screen aside, stepping in afterwards. She removed her sandals and Enishi mirrored her by taking off his slippers and placing them at the entrance. He closed the screen and trailed after Kaoru.

"I'm going to make some tea. Would you like some?" She asked him, playing hostess.

Enishi smiled politely and nodded and followed her into the kitchen. It was not exactly grand, but it was nicely kept and tidy. After he was bored of examining the kitchen, his turquoise eyes proceeded to study Kaoru as she boiled the water.

"Where's the boy?" He asked, breaking the awkward silence.

Realizing that he was inquiring about her student, she cast him a side glance. "Yahiko's in town. He works at a restaurant."

"Is he your source of income?" Enishi asked.

Not knowing what he was trying to imply, she kept her eyes on the kettle. "The money he makes helps us out, but I support for both of us by giving lessons."

Enishi scoffed. "A woman shouldn't be the provider of a household."

Kaoru's eyebrows knitted together in irritation at the comment. "I could make money as well as any man."

"That's not the point," he replied, his turquoise eyes glinting with amusement at how quick she was to snap at him.

"Then what is?"

"I'm just saying that the matter of money shouldn't have to be dealt by you," he coolly responded. "If anyone, that boy should take of it."

"Yahiko is still a child," Kaoru said as she removed the kettle and began to prepare the tea. "I took him into my care. It isn't right for me to count on him to support us."

"But since Battousai and Sagara left, he is the only male left in this household."

Kaoru nearly dropped the kettle. She looked at the smug white-haired man with disbelief and surprise.

"...how did you...?" She quickly concealed her shock with anger. "Have you been spying on me?"

He smirked. "Is the tea done yet?" He asked generously. Kaoru glared at him before turning back to prepare the drinks. After a few minutes, she set out two cups and placed the heated kettle in the center of the table next to the cherry blossoms that Enishi was kind enough to retrieve for her earlier.

Biting her lip to keep herself from strangling answers out of Enishi, she poured the tea into his cup and he gratefully took it. She filled her own to the brim and stared at her guest in silence.

She sat there, waiting for Enishi to explain himself. But being the villain that he was, the answers never came as the man peacefully sipped his tea.

"...well?" Kaoru finally asked.

"Well what?"

Enishi's smirk grew wider when he saw the girl's eyes glare at him with contempt.

"How did you know that Kenshin and Sano left?"

He set his tea down onto the table. "When I said I had connections, I didn't mean just in Shanghai. There are some stationed in Japan as well."

"You were watching Kenshin this whole time, then?"

He took another sip. "Of course. I needed to know where he was located in order to carry out my Jinchuu."

Sorrow welled up in her blue eyes. Kaoru had prayed for Enishi to find peace after the whole ordeal at his island fortress was over. She had foolishly hoped that after reading Tomoe's diary, he would realize how much his sister had loved Kenshin and give up on his revenge. But now, she wasn't certain of what Enishi's motives were.

"If you knew he was gone," she interrupted, not caring that her tea was getting cold. "Then why did you come?"

"I already told you. I'm here on business."

"But with whom?"

Enishi's smugness disappeared from his turquoise eyes and was replaced by a solemn, brooding look. Kaoru had noticed that his cup was empty, so she replenished it with more steaming tea, her ears waiting for an answer.

"...I have something I need to discuss with you."

Her eyes failed to hide her alarm, but she tried to keep her composure. "What do you want to talk to me about?"

Enishi cast his eyes downward from Kaoru's young face, avoiding the stare of her expectant sapphire eyes. She had sensed the sudden change in his manner and instantly grew concerned. Enishi was a man of pride and was always confident enough to make direct eye contact. He never acted like this before.

"Enishi?" she spoke his name. "What's wrong?"

"...I want you to come with me."

The simple statement had sent her into a tumult of bewilderment. Her unblinking eyes widened and she felt a blush creep over her face.

"Come with you? W-where?"

"To Shanghai," he remarked, his confidence returning to him. Turquoise eyes stared at her with a look of unfamiliar gentleness. "I want you to return with me there."

Her mind couldn't register what he was saying. An unsettling feeling overcame her as she remembered the day when Enishi had made a similar statement before he had kissed her. If she wasn't blushing before, she certainly was now.

"But why?" were the only words she could manage, her voice personifying her confusion.

"Why else?" He rose from his seat and stood confidently over Kaoru, his shadow looming over her small figure. "To stay with me."

Kaoru's blue eyes studied his face, but then she lowered her gaze. She needed to concentrate on the tea kettle, the freshly picked flowers, on anything else. She couldn't look at Enishi at that moment.

"You...can't be serious..." She said, knowing full well that Enishi wasn't playing some horrible joke on her, much to her disappointment.

A look of frustration crossed his turquoise eyes, but he persisted. "I am."

Her head bent lower, her raven bangs obscuring her sapphire eyes. He was agitated that she wasn't reacting the way that he had hoped she would.

"I want you to come with me," He repeated, attempting to remain calm so he wouldn't frighten the tomboy. "To leave Japan and live with me in Shanghai."

Seeing that Enishi wouldn't give up, Kaoru's deep gaze traveled to his face. "Enishi...I can't."

White brows creased as he felt the rejection of the girl's words sinking into him. "Why? What reason would you have to stay here?"

"I have a lot of reasons to stay," Kaoru insisted, her eyes never leaving his. "I need to run my father's dojo. I can't let it go into ruin. And then there's Yahiko. As I said, I took him into my care. There's no way that I could just gather my things and go—"

"I'll leave him money," Enishi interrupted, his voice coming alive with passion.

"He needs more than money, Enishi. He needs a family, too."

"Why does he need you to be his family?" he seethed through gritted teeth.

"Because he has no one else!" Kaoru exclaimed. "He's not even a teenager yet! How would he be able to take care of himself without anyone else to look after him?"

A mixture of anguish and jealousy began to brew inside of Enishi. He couldn't accept the fact that Kaoru refused to depart from her home because of some insignificant boy.

No...there was some other reason that she wanted to remain here...

"Don't lie to me, Kamiya," he stated accusingly, throwing off the girl. "You don't expect me to believe that you won't leave Tokyo because of your ties with some brat, do you?"

"What are you getting at?" She asked crossly.

"It's Battousai," he watched her wince at the title of his brother-in- law. "He's the reason you wish to stay here. You're still infatuated with the bastard, aren't you?" He asked darkly.

Her cheeks swelled with the blood that was rushing to her face as she diverted her eyes away from her livid guest. "Kenshin has nothing to do with this."

"I believe that he does," Enishi continued, his voice dripping with venomous resentment. "I should've known that you would be too naïve to see him for what he really is!"

"I am not naïve!" Kaoru cried indignantly.

"So now you wish to lie to yourself?" He mocked her. "Tell me Kamiya, did he promise you that he would return? Did he?!?"

She noticed the escalation of his voice and she grew cautious. "He didn't say when he would come back."

A maniacal laugh rumbled through his chest, his turquoise eyes full of contempt. "You're such a fool! He's not going to return!"

"How would you know that?" She asked, fearing the possibility that he might be right. However, she kept her concern for the red-haired ruroni hidden, feeling that she had to deal with Enishi first and foremost.

"Because of his guilt!" He ranted, fury underlining every word. "The weight of his sins is too heavy for him to ignore!"

"Which is why he is going to return," she softly replied. "This is his home. Kenshin left to make peace with his past so he would be able to come back here."

"You defend him," A look of disgust was apparent in his expression. "After all he has done, you still protect him as if he had never taken a single life in the first place."

She didn't say anything, but stared back at Enishi with her blue eyes.

"It's sickening."

Kaoru watched in sympathy as he slumped back onto the ground, drawing his knees to his muscular chest as his hands yanked at his unruly white hair. She didn't hear any sobbing, but his body was wracked with heavy, irregular breaths. Feeling as if she was the one who had pushed him to such limits, Kaoru approached him.

"Why?" His muffled voice asked her. "Why won't you come with me?"

Her heart heavy with guilt and sorrow, she knelt at his side. "I already told you, Enishi. I have responsibilities here."

"Liar!" he yelled at her, startling the kendo instructor. "You're waiting for him to come back!"

Sapphire eyes watched the white-haired man before her in deep thought. Never had Kaoru seen Enishi act this way, not even on the night before Kenshin had brought her back to Tokyo. He wasn't acting like the indifferent, arrogant man that she was so accustomed to.

He was like an insecure child throwing a fit.

Kaoru gently wrapped her delicate arms around him, her face partially buried in his ivory hair. Her breath tickled the back of his neck, and his hands slowly fell to his sides as he remained in her soothing embrace.

"Enishi...I can't go with you," she stated, the tone of her voice stern yet compassionate at the same time. "My life is here in Tokyo. I can't abandon the people I care about and the only home I have known."

She tightened her hold when he had flinched from hearing her words. It pained her to know that she was hurting him, but she couldn't lie to him. It wouldn't be fair to Enishi.

"I can't leave. I just can't."

He continued to be silent with Kaoru's arms enveloping him. His ragged breathing gradually returned to normal, giving the tomboy a bit of comfort. She still held him in her arms in hopes that she would bring some sort of consolation to his already tormented soul.

Kaoru was so worried about him in fact that she failed to see his hand slipping into his blue tunic.

He turned his head slightly so that his turquoise eyes focused on her blue ones. His expression didn't bear any semblance of distress or anger. To both Kaoru's surprise and relief, he appeared rather calm.

"You will come with me."

Before she could even register the words, Kaoru found herself pinned down onto the floor in a fraction of a second. She was rendered immobile by the weight of Enishi's powerfully built body, her frail hands bound above her head by one of his own. She struggled in vain, too shocked and too trapped to perform any evasive maneuvering.

Her sapphire eyes shot up to Enishi, doing little to hide the sense of betrayal that she had felt. Kaoru then caught glimpse of the cloth he held in his free hand, and the realization struck her.

Enishi had no intention of returning to Shanghai without her.

He smothered her lips and nose with the cloth, suffocating her with the heavy scent of chloroform. Turquoise eyes observed as the girl thrashed her head wildly, trying with all of her might to free her hands, but to no avail. In a matter of seconds, the actions of her body became lethargic and she ceased to move all together. Enishi's eyes lingered on her sleeping form for a while longer, enthralled by how peaceful she looked. Her eyes were shut and her unblemished face had worn the visage of a dreamless slumber. He had noticed that her ribbon had come undone during her futile struggle, causing her raven hair to spread from underneath her.

Enishi rose onto his feet, satisfied that Kaoru would be accompanying him back to China. He knew that there would be hell to pay when she would wake up, but he was willing to face that consequence.

Kaoru was worth all the trouble of attaining. There wasn't anything that could convince him otherwise.

He left her in her unconscious state to gather her clothes. Enishi was certain that Kaoru would want more than a simple bathrobe to wear during her stay in Shanghai.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews! This is my first Ruroni Kenshin fic, and I'm very grateful to receive support. I hope you truly have enjoyed this story.

And for those of you who don't know, 'Jinchuu' means humanly justice. In other words, 'revenge'.